ECOLOGICAL IMPACT OF INTERSTATE 95 ON BIRDS AND MAMMALS IN NORTHERN MAINE

The impact of highways on birds and mammals in forest ecosystems was examined along Interstate 95 in Penobscot County, during 1975 to 1977. Breeding bird populations, were compared at 100-m intervals from the highway. No effect on total populations, species number or species diversity was detected in 1975, but both species number and diversity were significantly greater near the highway in 1976. Wintering birds were found to make the most use of the forest area within 50 m of the highway. The total numbers of small mammals was not significantly affected by the highway, but the abundance of individual species was affected. Species diversity of small mammals was greater near the highway than on control areas 300 m from the highway. Winter track counts revealed the following: fishers seemed to be repelled by the highway, red foxes and coyotes were attracted to the ROW, while red squirrels, snowshoe hares and weasels were unaffected. White-tailed deer spent less time within the 100 m of forest adjacent to the ROW than in other areas out to 400 m.

Supplemental Notes:
- This report was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.
Corporate Authors:
University of Maine, Orono

Boardman Hall
Orono, Maine United States 04469

Maine Department of Transportation

Materials and Research Division, Box 1208, Hogan Road
Bangor, ME United States 04402
Authors:
- Ferris, C R
- Palman, D S
- Richens, V B
Publication Date: 1978-1

Media Info

Pagination: 122 p.

Subject/Index Terms

TRT Terms: Animals; Birds; Deer; Ecology; Environmental impacts; Forests; Highways
Subject Areas: Economics; Environment; Geotechnology; Highways; Society;

Filing Info

Accession Number: 00170882
Record Type: Publication
Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-ME-TP-77-12
Contract Numbers: 58540
Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
Created Date: Mar 29 2002 12:00AM